FARM FATALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22469, 13 July 1936, Page 10

FARM FATALITY

SETTLER FOUND SHOT WAIHOU VALLEY RESIDENT GUN LYING NEAR FENCE [BY TELICGKAI'II —OWN CORHK.SI'ONDKNT] KAIKOIIU, tiurxluy Tho body of Air. Joseph Ogle Ferguson, a Waihou Valley farmer, was found to-day in a lonely spot at the rear of his GOO-acre property. There was a gunshot wound in tho forehead and a double-barrel shotgun was found .about 9ft. from the body. Tho circumstances point to accidental death. Mr. Ferguson, who was a single man, aged 32, lived alone, and consequently his movements were not known, but it is thought he was climbing through a fence when the accident occurred. It is believed he left his homo to ride over his property on or about July 8. This date was ascertained by the fact that newspapers had been deliv cred to him, hut not collected. Discovery by Neighbour The body was found at ( J. 30 this morning by Mr. George liailey Carter, a farmer, of Marangai, who immediately informed tho police stationed at tho late Mr. Nelson's house. Inspector O'Hara, Detective Mtirch, Sergeant Finch and Constable D. Robertson proceeded to tho locality immediately. Roth cartridges had heen discharged when tho gun was found. A resident reported ho heard two distinct reports on Friday, but the police aro making inquiries to check tho movements of Mr. Ferguson The inquest was opened before tho district coroner, Mr. J. T. V. Dunlop, and after evidence of identification was given it was adjourned sine die. Evidence at Inquest In giving evidence Mr. Carter stated that his property adjoined deceased's on flio south side of Okaihau. Ho last saw deceased on July 5, when deceased had ridden over to his place and complained about his sheep being worried by dogs. On Friday. July 10, he heard dogs barking from tho direction of deceased's sheep-pen near tho boundary fence, but saw no signs of deceased or his horse that day. At mid-day on Saturday witness said he noticed deceased's horse tied up to the sheeppens, but again be failed to see deceased, and at 4 p.m. he began to get anxious and went to tho sheep-pen where the horse was saddled and tied to the pen. An overcoat was hanging on the fence and two dogs were also tied up. He then searched the locality and found a dead dog. At dusk ho returned home and this morning made another search, and found the body of deceased near a fence and about 100 yds from the dead dog. Dr. N. G. McLean, of Kaikohe, who examined the body, said death was instantaneous, as the result of a gunshot. He was of the opinion that death had occurred 48 hours before. The body was carried on a stretcher by constables and settlers to the Rangiahua Hotel this evening The distance was about eight miles and the rough and hilly country, together with the heavy bushes of tea-tree, made the task a most difficult one.